Apparatus for feeding flowable material from a plurality of containers



Feb. 1, 1949. J. A. SOHSSA v APPARATUS FOR FEEDING FLOWABLE MATERIAL FROM A PLURALITY OF CONTAINERS Original Filed May 7, 1941 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 e5. 1, 1949. so ss ,46

APPARATUS FOR FEEDING FLOWABLE MATERIAL FROM A PLURALITY OF CONTAINERS 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed May 7, 1941 GUID GOO

DUDE] Fe. 1 149. J so ss ZAfiUfiGS APPARATUS FOR FEEDING FLOWABLE MATERIAL FROM A PLURALITY OF CONTAINERS Original Filed May '7, 1941 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Fe. 1, 194. J. A. SOISSA APPARATUS FOR FEEDING FLOWABLE MATERIAL FROM A PLURALITY 0F CONTAINERS 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Original Filed iflay 7-, 1941 MA m l '7 253 53 253 l I I I I frrrfezzzo r-x N7 0 2475015150 Feb. 1, 1949.

J. A. SOISSA APPARATUS FOR FEEDING FLOWABLE MATERIAL- FROM A PLURALITY OF CONTAINERS Original Filed May 7, 1941 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 PR5 for 12k? PRESSURE JW/IZ *lrax HOPPER 157 Patented Feb. 1, 1949 APPARATUS FOR FEEDING FLOWABLE MATERIAL FROM A PLURALITY F CONTAINERS John A. Soissa, Winnetka, 111., assignor to Certain-teed Products Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a corporationoi' Maryland Original application May 7, 1941, Serial No. 392,261. Divided and this application August 7, 1944, Serial No. 548,436

13 Claims. (01. 222-14) This invention relates to an apparatus for feeding flowable material. The invention especially relates to the feeding of comminuted material for surfacing a web or sheet and is particularly concerned with the preparation of and the feeding of surfacing materials which will have different and predetermined colors.

An object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for producing a roofing web having on a face thereof a variety of color areas of predetermined color or predetermined length or of both predetermined color andlength.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for producing a roofing web having on a face thereof color areas having considerable variety of colors, which colors are produced by the blending of a relatively small number of surfacing materials of primary or initial colors. The application of these colors to'the face of the web may be carried out in such a manner as to produce color areas of different but predetermined lengths on said face of the web.

In one phase of the invention a supply of flowable material or of granular surfacing material of indeterminate amount is provided and discharge therefrom of a metered quantity toward a face of a moving web is effected. Metering preferably is carried out independently of conditions associated with the web movement. The metered mass of surfacing material may be intercepted and collected in a suitable accumulating space in its path of travel toward the face of the web and feed of the intercepted material from the accumulating space to the face of the web may be caused at a rate predetermined in accordance with the rate of web movement so that the mass will become distributed over a predetermined length of the face of the moving web.

The invention in another phase provides a plurality of supplies containing different primary or given color surfacing materials. Discharge of metered volumes or masses from at least a selected two of the supplies is effected to maintain a predetermined ratio between the metered volumes fed from the respective supplies. The total volume or mass fed from the supplies is thus also predetermined. Intermixture of the primary color masses is effected by suitable mixing means to produce a composite blend of the surfacing materials. The blended mass may then be fed to a suitable storage space or it may be fed directly to the face of the roofing web at a rate determined in accordance with the web movement to cover a predetermined length of the face of the web.

The invention provides suitable apparatus for metering and controlling discharge of the diflerent primary color surfacing materials whereby from a selected number of primary supplies a given total quantity of surfacing material may be discharged. Different predetermined ratios of the volumes of given primary colored materials discharged may be selected to produce the same total quantity of the batch. On the other hand the control of discharge may be so effected that different total quantities of surfacing material are discharged from the supplies while a predetermined ratio is maintained between the volumes discharged from respective primary sup-. plies and are mixed to produce different quantities of the same blend.

Various types of apparatus and processes have been proposed in the prior art for producing a surfaced roofing web having a number of different color areas on the face thereof of the same or different lengths and in either contiguous or discontiguous relation. From a multi-color web of this type covering elements, such as shingles, may be out which may be assembled on a structure to produce a variegated appearance and to avoid a dull and monotonous appearing covering such as may result when covering elements surfaced with surfacing materials of a single color are used.

Typical prior art proposals for production of the so-called multi-color roofing are described in Patents No. 1,791,560 to Heppes, issued February 10, 1931; Nos. 2,074,130 and 2,074,131 to Fenley et al., issued March 16, 1937; and No. 2,157,944 to Walton, issued May 9, 1939.

, The number of different color areas which may be produced on a roofing web utilizing such prior art processes is restricted to the number of supplies actually provided by the apparatus. Because of space limitations, it is usual to provide only a limited number of supplies of different colors or of blends of colors of the surfacing materials from which surfacing materials of diii'er ent character may be withdrawn and laid over given areas of the face of a roofing web. In the prior art proposals, also, difficulties may be encountered when it is desired to change from production of a roofing web carrying one series of color areas or blends to production of a web surfaced with other color surfacing materials. There is usually left in each of the supplies a quantity of surfacing granules which must be bagged, stored and classified separately for later use if the material is not to be wasted or used for mixed slate.

The invention purposes to eliminate the disadvantages of the prior proposals by providing surfacing apparatus having supplies of only the primary or single colored surfacing materials. By certain control means discharge of metered masses of selected colors from one or more of the supplies is effected to deliver. the constituent colors of a given blend in proper quantities or in proper ratios of volume or amounts of the different colors. Mixing means are provided to intermix the constituent colors and produce a uniform blend which may then be applied by suitable apparatus to the face of the roofing web as a color area. The separate volumes or masses discharged from the different primary supplies to become the constituent colors may be so measured that the total mass discharged from the supplies is predetermined in order to surface a given length of the web when applied or spread upon the face of the web at a rate determined in accordance with the web movement.

Because there is no unlimited accumulation .or storage of the different blends of surfacing materials in the apparatus of the invention, due to the determination of the total quantity of each blend to cover only a given length of web, there is no need to bag, store or classify accumulated blends as required by the prior art proposals when a change of color of surfaced web is to be made. At each discharge the blend may be changed. and the quantity .metered without excess.

By the provision of control and proportioning means for effecting discharge of the metered masses from selected supplies, the invention may be used to accomplish a quick change from producing a web having one group of color areas to a web having areas of different color surfacing without necessarily providing new supplies from which the new, difl'erent color surfacing material may be fed. This feature is secured by the provision of only primary color supplies from which by selection of correct quantities or volumes of the primary colored material any given color blend may be produced at will and any desired sequence of blended colors may be applied to the web.

The apparatus of the invention may be utilized in connection with existing surfacing machines,

In this way a greater variety of colors or blends of surfacing materials are available for delivery to the existing machines which may be operated in their usual manner to apply the surfacing to the face of the web.

Other objects and advantageous features of my invention will be described in connection with the drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic vertical sectional view of the apparatus of the invention.-

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Figs. 4a and 4b together show an elevation of a practical embodiment of the apparatus of the invention.

Figs. 5a and 5b together show a section taken substantially on lines 5--5 of Figs. 4a and 4b.

Fig. 6 is a section taken on line 6-45 of Fig. 5a.

, Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic section taken on line 1-1 of Fig. 51).

Fig. 8 is a simplified electrical wirin diagram of the control and actuating arrangement for the apparatus of Figs. 4a, 4b, 5a and 5b.

Fig. 9 is a section on line 9-4 of Fig. 5b.

In Figs. 1, 2 and 3 is shown the blending and surfacing apparatus of the invention. The apparatus i in Fig. 1 is positioned above a roofing web 2 drawn in the direction of its length by drums t5 and 66 of a roofing machine.

A plurality of bins l0, H, l2, l3, l4, l5, l6, I1 and 68 each may have outlet openings 5, 1 and 9 thereof arranged to, discharge into a receiving hopper 3. The bins iii to 88 are maintained filled with diflerent primary color surfacing materials by hoses [9 connected to reservoir supplies of the primary color materials not shown.

The cross sectional areas of the outlet openings 5, l and 9 of the bins it to 68 preferably are in the ratio 4-2-1, so that the ratio of volume of comminuted materials discharged from the openings 5, l and 9 will be -z-lrespectively for a predetermined time of flow. Each of the openings 5,1, and 9 of each of the bins iii to it is provided with a gate 6 for controlling and proportioning the flow of the surfacing material individually from the different outlets of the bins w to it. A. plurality of solenoids 8 are respectively connected to the proportioning gates 6 to cause flow therethrough of the surfacing materials upon energizing thereof and to stop flow through the gates upon deenergizing thereof.

Baifles 2! within the receiving hopper 3 are provided to equalize the time for flow of the materials discharged into the hopper 3 to the outlet 22 thereof.

A mixing chamber is connected to the outlet neck 2.2 of the hopper 3 and jacket 23 is provided to enclose the connection. The outlet 24 of the jacket 23 may be connected to any suitable suction device in order to withdraw dust from the mixing chamber through openings 33.

Mounted within the mixing chamber 25 in bearing 26 is a vertical shaft 21 having a mixing rotor 28 secured to the upper portion thereof and bevel gear 29 secured to the lower portion thereof. Another bevel gear 30 mounted on shaft 3! in bearing 32 is in mesh with the gear 29 to eifect drive of the rotor 28 when the pulley 33 on shaft 3I-is driven by suitable power means not shown.

While in the particular embodiment of the mixer illustrated I have shown a rotor 28 having upstanding pins on the upper surface thereof to effect the mixing, it is to be understood that any mixer suitable to effect continuous blending and delivery of the mixed comminuted surfacing materials may be utilized.

A gate is provided adjacent the restricted lower outlet opening ll of the mixing chamber 25 which is operable to cause or prevent fio w of comminuted materials therefrom. This outlet opening 4| of the mixing chamber 25 is arranged to discharge comminuted materials into a revoluble spout 43 mounted in bearing 44. The

. spout 43 may be directed to effect discharge of comminuted materials from the mixing chamber 25 to one of the accumulating hoppers 45, 46, M, and 48, Figs. 1 and 3. The outlet openings 49 of the accumulating hoppers are connected by hoses 50 respectively to delivery hoppers 55, 56, 51, and 58 provided with feed rolls 59 extending transversely across the web 2. The feed rolls 59 may be dri en from drums and 66, e. g., by a chain 68 upon sprockets I0 and 12 to effect feed of the comminuted materials from the delivery hoppers to the face of the web 2 at a rate predetermined in accordance with the web movement. The drums for these hoppers may be so connected to each other as to effect laying of the comminuted materials -of the respective delivery hoppers upon predetermined areas of the web 2 as disclosed in the prior art. The excess comminuted material spilled from drums may be returned to hopper It for feeding to conveyor I8 to be carried away thereby.

In order to deposit a given length of colored surfacing material on the face of the web 2 the elementary mode of operation may be as follows. One or more of the solenoids 8 connected to the proportioning gates 6 of a given supply suchas bin I0, for example. is energized byan electric current for a time period predetermined to cause discharge of a metered quantity or volume of surfacing material from the bin I0 to the receiving hopper 3. The surfacing material from bin I0 travels by gravity through the hopper 3 and mixing chamber 25 and is collected as a mass above the gate-40. When the metered batch or mass of surfacing material has accumulated above the gate 40, the gate is operated by hand or by suitable control means to discharge the mass of surfacing material through the revolubie spout 43 to an accumulating hopper, as for example 45, and is thereafter closed. The accumulating hopper 46 discharges into the delivery hopper 56.

ume or mass from a different color supply of surfacing material such as bin I4, by energizing one or more of the solenoids 8 connected to operate proportioning gates 6 of outlet openings 5. l and 9 thereof. This second metered mass discharged from bin I4 is collected above the gate 40 and the spout 43 is revolved to direct materials for discharge into the accumulating hopper 41 while the mass of surfacing material first discharged from the bin I 0 is being distributed over a predetermined length of the face of the web being fed from the distributing hopper 55. The gate 40 may then be operated in relation to the exhausting of surfacing material from the hopper 56 so that the second metered mass is directed to the accumulating hopper 41 and is fed therefrom through distributing hopper 51 to reach the face of the web '2 just as the end of the color area of surfacing material applied by hopper 55 comes under the feed roll 50 of the hopper 5I.

When it is desired to apply as a color, area on the face of the web a blend of two or more of the primary colored surfacing materials from the bins I0 to I8, predetermined ratios of volumes of surfacing materials are fed from the selected supplies by energizing the solenoids 8 to operate the proper proportioning gates of the respective supplies to discharge predetermined individual quantities of each color into the receiving hopper 3. Bailles 2| guide the different her 25. The mixer rotor 28 is driven to eifect thorough int'ermixture of different primary colored surfacing materials. The blend is collected as .a mass above the gate 40 to be discharged into one of the accumulating hoppers 45, 46, 41 and 40 and then distributed over a predetermined length of the face of the web as described above in connection with the surfacing by single primary color materials.

, It is to be understood that by providing a suitable apparatus for control of the operation of the proportioning gate 6 that a predetermined metered mass of 'asingle primary color or of blended surfacing materials may be delivered and distributed over a predetermined length of the face of the web 2 in contiguous or, if desired, in discontiguousrelation to the adjacent color area previously fed.

As a modification the gate 40 may be eliminated by providing suitable apparatus for controlling the operation of the proportioning gates 5 in stepped relation to the movement of the spout 43. This may be effected so that as a previously metered mass is being distributed over the face of the web. from an accumulating hopper the spout 43 may be turned to the position of discharge into an adjacent or another accumulating hopper and discharge of the surfacing materials from selected bins I0 to I8 thereafter may be effected to cause the second metered mass to flow to its accumulating hopper for distribution over the face of the web substantially when the last portion of the previously applied color area material passes beneath the feed roll thereof.

Figs. 4a, 4b, 5a and 5b illustrate a practical embodiment of the apparatus of the invention. The apparatus I00 comprises a frame IOI having mounted on the upper member thereof a plurality of bins H0, III, H2, H3, H4, ll5, II'6, H1, H8, for containing supplies of different primary color surfacing materials. The bins IIO to II 8 may be maintained filled with the different primary color surfacing materials through the inlet openings [20 thereof by means of hoses from indeterminate supplies of the surfacing materials not shown.

The bins IIO to H8 are positioned as indicated in Fig. 6 and have outlet openings I05, I01, and I 09 thereof, arranged to discharge into a receiving hopper I03. As can be seen in Fig. 5a the outlet openings I0'Ia-nd I09 are restricted by inserts I02 and I04 to provide less area for flow of the surfacing materials than the outlet opening I05. The ratio of the cross sectional areas of the outlets I05, I01, and I09 may be, for example, 4-2-1, so that for a predetermined time of flow through the respective outlet openings l'05, I01, I09 the ratio of the volumes of the materials discharged will be 4-2-1. This relation may be taken as preferred to secure any ratio in the relatively wide range of from 1-1 to 7-1. the invention, however, other ratios of the outlet areas and a different number of openings per govern flow of surfacing materials to be dis-- charged from the different outlets of the bins II 0" J to H8. Solenoids I08 are respectively connected to the flow governing gates I06 to causeflow through the openings upon energizing of the solenoids and to stop flow upon deenergizing there- Within the scope or of. As shown in Fig. a, the moving core 80 of the solenoid I08 is pivotally connected at 8| to crank arm 92. The arm 82 may be keyed to shaft 63 upon which the upper portion 84 of the gate I06 is mounted to be turned thereby. A spring 85 is provided to bias the crank arm 82 to maintain the gate I06 in the closed position.

The receiving hopper I03 is provided with bafiles IZI to equalize the time for flow of the surfacing materials discharged thereinto toward the,

outlet I22 thereof. A. mixing chamber I25 is connected to the outlet I22 of the receiving hopper I03 by a jacket I23 provided with an exhaust connection I26 for effecting removal through openings I33 of any dust developed during the mixing operation.

The mixer in the mixing chamber I25 may be of the type illustrated in Fig. 1 or it may be of any suitable construction which is effective continuously to intermix and deliver comminuted surfacing materials fed thereto.

The outlet opening I of the mixing chamber I25 is arranged to discharge the mixed surfacing materials into a revoluble spout I63. The spout M6 is constructed and arranged to direct discharge of surfacing materials from the mixing chamber I25 to one of a plurality of accumulating hoppers, I50, I5I, 552, I53, I56, I65, I56, I51, I58, I59, I60, IN. The outlet openings I69 of the accumulating hoppers I50 to I6 I' are arranged about the axis of rotation of the spout I83 as may be seen in Fig. 7 and may be connected by hoses to deliver mixed surfacing materials accumulated therein to different supplies of surfacing materials maintained in suitable apparatus not shown. for applying the surfacing material toa roofing web, for example, as in Figure 1.

A pressure switch I62 is mounted on each of the accumulating hoppers I50 to I6I and is operable to close an electrical circuit through the contact points I64 thereof when the material within the accumulating hopper has reached a predetermined height, and to open the circuit through the points when the level falls below a predetermined level.

As can :be seen in Fig. 51; each pressure switch I62 comprises a casing I63 having a. push rod I55 slidably mounted therein. A flexible ,diaphragm I66, such as leather, secured to the casing I63 at the edges thereof is fastened at the a center thereof to one end of the push rod I65.

A contact plate I61 is secured to an intermediate portion of the push rod and biased away from contact points I64 by spring I60. At the right of Fig. 5b the pressure switch I62 is held in open circuit position by spring I68 because the accumulating hopper I56 on which it is mounted is empty. To the left of Fig. 5b the switch is shown in its closed circuit position, as the bias of spring I68 has been overcome by the weight of the surfacing material contained within the accumulating hopper I50.

One arrangement for effecting drive of the spout I43 mechanically for successive discharge into adjacent accumulating hoppers is indicated at I10 in Fig. 5b. A horizontal plate III has secured thereto bearings I12 and I82 with their bores like extending with the axis of rotation of the spout I43.

A vertical shaft I13 is supported in the hearing I 12 and has keyed to the upper end portion thereof a step gear I14. The spout I43 passes through a cut-out I in the step gear I14 and is mounted for movement therewith. The step gear has the periphery thereof provided with a plurality of 8 slot I16. as in Fig. 9, for positio ing the spout I43 for successive discharge into the twelve accumulating hoppers I60 to I6I, in twelve successive steps.

A vertical shaft I63 supported in the bearing I82 has keyed to an intermediate portion thereof a disc I84 having an upstanding pin I85 near the edge thereof. The shafts I 83 and I13 are so positioned relative to each other that the pin I85 engages one of the slots I16 in the step gear and effects movement of the step gear of a revolution for each revolution of the disc I 84.

A bevel gear I66 keyed to the upper end portion of the shaft I63 is in mesh with a similar bevel gear I keyed to the outboard end of horizontal shalt I83. The shaft I93 is mounted for rotation in pillow blocks MI and I92 and has a pulley I96 keyed thereto between the pillow blocks. A cam I91 having a holding notch I98 as indicated in Fig. 4b is also keyed to the shaft I93.

An electric motor 200 having a built in speed reduction unit 20I is supported on the lower plate I1I. A pulley 206 is secured to the shaft 285 of the speed reduction unit 20I. A loose belt 201 connects the pulleys 206 and I96 and normally slips 100% so that drive of pulley I96 normally is not efiected even though the pulley 206 is being driven.

A latch 2I0 having arms 2, 2I2 and 2I3 as shown in Fig. 4b is mounted on shaft 2 for movement about the axis thereof. The arm 2 is provided with a head portion 2I5 which engages the holding notch I98 of the cam I91. The end portion of the arm 2I3 of the latch 2I0 is pivotally connected at 2I6 to the moving core 2H of solenoid 2I8.

The middle arm 2I2 of the latch 2I0 supports,

at 222 and is slidably mounted on a rod 220, intermediate the ends thereof. This arm 2I2 bears against a compression spring 221 secured to the end 2I9 of rod 220 by adjustable lock nuts 228. The left end portion 2I9 of the rod 220 is pivotally connected at 22I to the free end of a swinging arm 223 mounted for pivotal movement toward and away from the surface of the belt 201 about the shaft 224 carried by yoke 225 secured to the base plate I1I. At the free end of the arm 223 revolubly mounted on the shaft 22I carried thereby is an idler pulley 226. The idler pulley 226 is so positioned relative to the surface of the belt 201 that the belt may be tightened to eii'ect drivetherethrough when the arm 223 is swung toward the right in Fig. 4b bringing the pulley 226 into contact with the belt 201.

The operationof the spout revolving mechanism is as follows. The motor 200 is continuously operated and the belt 201 allowed to slip on the pulleys 206 and I96 sothat no power is transmitted thereby.

When the solenoid 2I8 is momentarily energized by an electric current the moving core 2I1 and the latch arm 2I3 pivotally connected thereto are pulled upwardly. The latch 2I0 is turned counter-clockwise in Fig. 4b, which movement releases the holding action of the head 2I5 on arm 2 of the latch 2I0 in the notch I98 of the cam I91 leaving the cam and its shaft I93 free to rotate. Force is concomitantly exerted against the spring 221 by the arm 2I2 of the latch 2I0 which moves the rod 220 toward the right in said Fig. 4b effecting a clockwise swing of the arm 223 and the idler pulley 226 toward thebelt 201. Under the action of the idler pulley 226 the belt 201 is tightened and drive is transmitted from the pulley 206 to the pulley I96 effecting clockall three.

. v9 wise rotation of shaft I93. The bevel gear I95 on shaft. I93 being in mesh with bevel gear I33 effects drive of shaft I83 in the clockwise direction. The pin I85 engages one of the slots I16 on the step gear I14 and effects counter-clockwise movement of the step gear I14 and the shaft I13 to which it is keyed one step at a time. With the movement of the step gear the spout I43 passing therethrough is moved counter-clockwise in said Fig. 4b one step or in the particular example shown one twelfth of a revolution.

' As the solenoid. 2! is deenergized before the cam I91 has completed a revolution, the head 2I5 of the latch 2I0 bears on the outer periphery of the cam and maintains the latch 2) in released position for one revolution of the cam whereby drive is transmitted through the belt 201v as above described. Upon completion of the revolution the head 2I5 enters into the holding notch I98 of the cam I91 under the action of the spring 221 and the belt tension and stops rotation of shaft I93 and movement of the spout. The latch 210 is revolved clockwise in Fig. 4b and thearm 2I2 is simultaneously moved toward the left. This motion is transmitted to the swinging arm 223 moving the idler 226 toward the left away from the belt 201 allowing the belt 201 to again slip on the pulleys 206 and I96 while the motor 200 continues to operate.

As may be seen in Fig. 5b the controller 250 comprises a drum 25I and a plurality of contactors 252 arranged in sets of three and positioned so as to be engaged by a projection or projections 253 on the surface of the drum 25I to effect closing thereof. The contactors 252 in each of the sets of three are connected respectively in series electrically with the solenoids I08 of the flow governing gates I05 associated with the openings I05, I01 and I09 of the respective bins III] to H8. Nine sets of contactors 252, numbered 260 to- 268, are provided in the particular embodiment illustrated, corresponding to the nine bins NO to H0. The three contactors 252 of each set are arranged adjacent each other, the sets being arranged in a row parallel to the axis of the drum 252 so that by provision of projections 253 of suitable width in the direction parallel to the axis of the drum 252, one, two or all three of the contactors 252 will be actuated to cause one, two or three of the gates I05, I01 and I09 to be opened and thereafter closed. For each set, by suitably positioning a projection or projections 253 along a line on the drum parallel to the axis thereof said projection or said projections may act upon any one of the three contactors of a set or upon two or upon As will be understood from description given hereafter when the drum 251 is turned to position to bring a projection or a group of projections 253 into engagement with one or more contactors 252 the corresponding gates of bin openings I05, I01, I09 are held open until released by operation of the electrical control which results in rotation of the controller drum I 25I to a new position of engagement of projection with contactors.

It will be understood that this means of actuating a selected number of the gates on a bin to secure the desired proportion or amount of surfacing material from a bin may be carried out for each of the other bins IIO to I I8. Moreover, by the predetermined selection of the particular openings I05, I01 and I09 of the bins to be opened and the corresponding operation of their respective gates I06 as above described, the accurate metering of the different colors from the different bins for mixing in order always I of color mixes and resulting color areas on the roofing sheet.

To secure sequence of different color blends or mixes of difierent colors to be delivered to the accumulating spaces of hoppers I50 to IN, the projections 253 may be arranged on the drum I in a plurality of groups spaced circumferentially about the surface of the drum 25I, the number of groups corresponding to the number of steps of spout movement desired. The number of projections in each group, having consideration for the width and position of each projection, will determine both the quantity of surfacing material to be withdrawn for each position of the spout I43 and the character of blend to be produced when the bins contain different colors of surfacing materials.

Each group of projections 253 closes selected contactors 252 and thereby effects delivery of predetermined ratios of volumes of surfacing materials from the different bins. For example'on the drum 25I of Fig. 5b in the uppermost group, the projection at the left is one-half the width of the projection at the right. One contactor 252 of the set 262 will be closed causing unit flow through outlet I09 of bin H2. The double width projection under set 265 will close two contactors 252 thereof and cause flow of one and two units respectively through gates I09 and I01 of bin H5. The ratio of volumes of primary colors in this particular blend therefore will be three volumes .of surfacing material from bin H5 to one volume of surfacing material from bin II2.

It can be understood from the above description that it is possible to vary the volume of surfacing material discharged from any bin from 7 units to 1 unit and to vary between '7 to l and 1 to l the relation of thevolumes discharged from any two bins by selective operation of gates to utilize the 4-2-1 ratio between outlet areas of the two bins.

The'arrangement shown in Fig. 5b is used to effect selection of contactors mechanically to produce a given blend by the connection for movement of drum 25I in accordance with movement of the spout I43. The drum 25I is secured to shaft 255 mounted for rotation in bearings 255. Sprocket 258 is keyed to one end of shaft 255 for drive thereof by chain 259. The driving sprocket I99 for chain 259 is keyed to shaft I93 to be moved in accordance with movement of the spout moving mechanism above described. In order that the movement of the spout and movement of the drum may correspond, in the particular embodiment illustrated the ratio of sprocket 258 to sprocket I99 is twelve to one, corresponding to the spout movement effected by a step gear having twelve steps.

In order to assure discharge of surfacing materials only when the spout is properly positioned to discharge into an accumulating hopper, a selector switch 3I0 is provided having the selectively operable brush thereof directly connected for movement with the shaft I13 which effects movement of the spout.

The selector switch 3I0 comprises a base 3H of insulating material, a ring shaped inner con tact 3l2 and a plurality of points 3I-3 numbered from 350 to 35I arranged about the inner rin A relay 320 is provided for each pressure switch I62 on the accumulating hoppers I50 to I6I to control delivery of the primary colored surfacing materials in accordance with the height of surfacing material contained within the accumulating hopper. Each relay 320 has a set of lower contact points 32I, 322 which are closed when the relay is not energized and a set of upper contact points 323 and 324 which are closed when the relay 320 is energized.

In Fig. 8, side 30I of the power line 300 is electrically connected to the inner contact 3I2 of the selector switch 3I0 and also to one side of the solenoid 2I8 for operating the latch 2"). The points 3I3 of the selector switch 3! are electrically connected respectively to one lead of the relays 320 and to a lower contact 321 of the respective relay. The remaining leads of the relays are respectively connected to one contact I64 of the bin switches I62, the remaining contact I64 of each pressure switch being connected by a common bus I69 tothe other side 302 of the power line 300. The other lower contacts 322 of the relays 320 are electrically connected by a common bus to one pole of each of the contactors 252 of the controller 250. The other poles of the contactors 252 are respectively connected through the individual proportioning gate operating solenoids I08 toanother common bus connected to the other side-302 of power line 300 and to an upper contact 323 of the relays 320. The remaining upper contacts 324 Of the relays 320 are connected through a common bus to the other side of the solenoid 2! for operating the latch2I0. 1

It is to be understood that the brush 3M of the selector switch 3I0 is arranged on the shaft I13, in accordance with the position of the spout I 43, to contact a switch point 3I3 connected through the relay 320 to the pressure switch of the accumulatin hopper to which discharge of the spout v I43 is directed.

As an example of the operation of the electrical control means shown in Fig. 8, the accumulating hopper I56 will be supplied with blended surfacing material. The spout I43 is positioned to direct materials discharged therefrom into the accumulating hopper I58 and the brush 3% is positioned accordingly by shaft I13 to contact the point 358 of the selector switch 3I0.

According to the positioning of the spout I43 a set I of projections 253 is brought beneath the groups of contactors 262 and 265 to selectively actuate solenoids I08 connected thereto from power line 302 and through the lower contact points 32I and 322 of the relay 320 connected to switch point 358 and then to the other line 301 to complete the circuit. As described above three volumes of surfacing material will be fed continuously from bin II5 to one volume of surfacing material being fed from bin II2 to the mixer which is operated continuously and delivers the blended surfacing material to the accumulating hopper I58 reaches a predetermined height, the pressure switch I62 thereon is closed, completing an electrical circuit through relay 320 and switch point 358. When the relay 320 is therefore energized the circuit between the lower contacts 32I and 322 thereof is broken, deenergizing the solenoids I08 and thereby stopping feed of materials from the primary supply bins I I5 and I I2. A circuit is completed through the upper contacts 323 and 324 of the relay 320, energizing the solenoid 2I8 from the power line 300, which moves latch 2I0 to effect release of the cam I91 and cause movement of the spout I43', controller 250 and selector switch 3I0 to the next step or position as described above. The circuit through the solenoid 2 I8 and relay 320 is broken by movement of the selector switch to its next position and at the completion of a revolution of cam I91, the latch again engages the cam holding it from further movement and releasing the drive thereof.

The spout I43 is now positioned to direct materials discharged therefrom into the accumulating hopper I 51 and the brush 3I4 is positioned accordingly by shaft I13 to contact the point 351 of the selector switch 3I0. The set II of projections is brought under the groups of contactors to close selected contacts and initiate flow of the primary color surfacing materials from difierently selected supplies to the mixer and then to the hopper I51. When the hopper I51 becomes filled the pressure switch I62 thereon is closed causing movement of the spout and associated devices to their next position. This sequence of operations is repeated for each of the twelve positions of the spout I43.

If the accumulating hopper toward which the spout I43 is being directed contains suflicient surfacing material to keep the pressure switch I62 mounted thereon in a closed circuit position, upon completion of a circuit through the selector switch 3III the relay 320 will become energized lifting the movable core thereof to open the circuit through the lower contact points 32I, 322 thereof thereby preventing actuation of the gate operating solenoids I08. The circuit through the upper contact points 323, 324 will immediately thereafter be closed to effect energizing of the solenoid 2 I8. The latch 2I0 will therefore be released and the spout moving mechanism will be operated to direct discharge into the next hopper having the pressure switch I62 in the open circuit position.

The blends delivered to the different accumulatin hoppers may be changed by substituting another controller drum 25I, having projections 253 arranged to operate the contactors 252 in different predetermined relations from the operation of the first controller drum. I

From the above description it will be understood that to the accumulating hoppers I to I6I there may be delivered for accumulation therein quantities of the comminuted material of definite colors by virtue of the blending of primary colors discharged in metered amounts and in ratios of these amounts through the proportioning openings I05, I01 and I09 and their flow governing gates. From these accumulating hoppers, in the manner described in connection with Fig. l,'the comminuted materials may be delivered to feed hoppers, such as the feed hoppers 55, 56, 51 and 58 of Fig. l, for feed to and deposit upon a web or roofing sheet. By provision of suitable hoses, however, the material received by the accumulating hoppers I 50 to I6I may be carried directly to other types of devices for applying the blended materials upon predetermined areas of a roofing sheet. For example, the hoses from the outlets I49 of the accumulating hoppers may be arranged to deliver the respective comminuted materials of different colors to the compartments of the magazine or box of the apparatus described in the patent to A. B. Walton, No. 2,157,944, issued May 9, 1939. Within the scope of the invention, also, these compartments of the magazine may constitute the accumulating spaces which in the particular embodiment herein described are represented by the accumulating hoppers I50 to I6I. Similarly, the accumulating hoppers may be directly connected to feed hoppers, such as are disclosed in Fig. 1, which are operated, however, for feeding the respective comminuted materials of different color to the web or sheet in the manner described in the application of John A. Soissa, Serial No. 324,072, filed March 15, 1940, which has since become abandoned, in order to produce multi-colored roofing having a great varietyof color areas.

It will also be understood by reference to the drawings, particularly Figs. 1, a and 51), that the accumulating hoppers I50 to IBI may be so constructed and arranged as to be the feed,

hoppers .55 to 58 by suitably forming the outlet portions I49 and providing them each with a feed roll, such as the feed roll 59. Thus the pressure switch I62 at each hopper, by suitable setting, will be eiiective to control the operation of gates 6 or I05 on the outlets of the bins III to I8 or III) to H8 so as to discharge to'each accumulating hopper a predetermined amount of comminuted material from selected bins to determine quantities of differently colored materials for deposition on successive color areas on the web. In a modified conception of this phase of the invention a pressure switch I02 may be provided on each feed hopper 56 to 58 instead of on the accumulating hoppers.

It will be apparent from the above description that in either case the pressure switch may be actuated by the deposited or collected material to operate the control mechanism so as to effect closing of the outlet openings of those bins IIO to H8 which, by virtue of the selectioneffected by the controller 250, have discharged selected quantities in selected proportions corresponding to the amounts and the colors required for given color areas. predetermined amount and of predetermined color may be prepared and delivered toward the face of the web independently of the movement of the web itself. In this respect the invention. differs from prior art processes and apparatus where metering of the quantity of materials to determine the total quantity and mixture of component materials is dependent upon and directly related to the web movement with the result that variations in the speed of the web, differences in arrangement of the parts of the mechanism and Thus the comminuted material in other conditions have caused variations in the pers 55 to 58 makes it possible to effect feeding to the sheet of the comminuted material so accumulated or collected at a rate determined by the movement of the web, for example, by operating the feed rolls 59 fromthe mechanism which drives the web. At the same time the metering of the comminuted material discharged by the bins and, as explained, of the component separate comminuted materials discharged together from two or more bins to form a mixture is accomplished independently of the web movement. The metering of these quantities, therefore, may be determined without their being affected by variations in the mechanism such as variation in the speed of the sheet or other conditions of operating a surfacing machine such as'are experienced in the roofing plants. The quantity discharged from the bins is determined by the pressure switch in accordance with its setting and is independent of the operation of the other parts of the roofing machine. When the proper quantity has been delivered from the bins to the accumulating space or to the feed hopper the discharge is cut off and the feeding of the metered quantity to the sheet thereafter may proceed by operation of the feed rolls which are timed with the sheet movement. I

The provision for collection or accumulation of the metered quantity of the comminuted material, moreover, has the advantage that the changes in the colors may be effected between discharges from the bins and while the color previously dischargedds being fed to the web. Since the quantities of materials which are to be placed upon the web, in the method of operation under discussion, are determined by those which are required for covering predetermined color areas, no material in excess of that which is to become applied to the sheet is discharged from the primary bins and the operation may be carried out continuously up to the last color area to be applied. Moreover, the desired color may be applied to the first color area which is to be surfaced upon the sheet without trial and waste because each of the quantities including the first to be applied to the sheet is metered.

Where in the claims the term different color has been used it is to be understood that not only masses of materials which have different colors are intended but those which may differ in other characteristics, whether or not of the same color, in order particularly to produce a different appearance when these materials are laid upon a roofing sheet.

In connection with the drawings, and" particularly with reference to Fig. 8, it should be understood that to simplify the explanation and avoid confusion of illustration, the drawings are in part diagrammatic. The dotted line numbered I13 connected between the selector switch 3I0 and the arrangement of pressure switches I62 about an axis at the left of Fig. 8, signifies the driving connection between the selector switch 3"! in Fig. 5b and the step gear I" through which the spout I43 passes, the said shaft being concentric with said axis of the arrangement o1 the pressure switches I62 and of the accumulating hoppers I50. The inclined dotted line between the shaft I93 in Fig. 8 and the axis upon which the pressure switches are arranged is a diagrammatic showing of that portion of the drive illustrated in Fig. 5b which extends between the cam I91 and the step gear I14, the drive connection being further extended, of course, through the shaft I13 to the selector switch brush 3. In place of the loose belt 20|.and the mechanism, including-the rod 220 and idler pulley 226,

used in the embodiment above described to effect tightening of the belt, the electric motor 200 may be of the design known as a torque motor which is so constructed as to take the full current when it is stalled by operation of the latch 2) upon the cam I91. Such a motor upon release of the cam by actuation of the solenoid 2 [8 will immediately start revolution of the parts described to eflect movement of the selector switch 3'0. the arm 3 and the controller switch 250.

This application is a divisional application of my oo-pending application Serial No. 392,261, filed May 7, 1941, which has since become abandoned.

For the purpose of clarity and facility of expression in the claims of this divisional application, in some claims the means providing the supplies of comminuted material, that is, the bins ill to l8 or M to H8 in the drawings, are referred to as containers. The means providing the accumulating space or the accumulating hoppers are referred to as hoppers.

Having thus described my invention I now claim:

1. Apparatus for control of flowable comminuted material which comprises a plurality of containers for containing separate supplies of comminuted material and each having an outlet opening in a wall thereof, a plurality of flow overning means respectively associated with said outlet openings respectively to govern flow of comminuted material from said supplies, a hopper providing an accumulating space for accumulation therein of comminuted material discharged from said containers, conduit means for conducting comminuted materialdischarged from at least two selected ones of said supply containers to said hopper, and control means comprising a yielding part actuated by pressure thereagainst by the accumulated comminuted material in said hopper and connected to the flow governing means of said selective supply containers for'successively starting and stopping the flow of the comminuted material from said selected containers for delivery to said hopp r of predetermined amounts of each of said comminuted materials.

2. Apparatus for control of flowable material which comprises a container for a supply of comminuted material, flow governing means associated with said container to govern new of said comminuted material from said supply, a plurali6 comminuted material from said supply and constructed and arranged selectively to be positioned to deliver said flowing comminuted material to a selected hopper, and control means operable when said conduit means is in the selected posi-' tion and actuated by the accumulated material in said selected hopper and acting on said flow governing means to open said opening in said container when said selected hopper contains less than a predetermined amount of the comminuted material and to prevent flow from said container when said selected hopper contains said predetermined amount of comminuted mateity of hoppers each providing an accumulating space for accumulation therein of comminuted material flowing from said supply. con-duit means for conducting said flowing comminuted mate-.

rial from said supply-and constructed and arran e e ectively to be positioned to deliver said flowing comminuted material to a selected hopper, and means connected to said conduit means and to said flow governing means to efiect governing of flow of said comminuted material from said container when said conduit means is in position to deliver said material to said selected hopper. I I

3. Apparatus for control of flowable comminuted materials which comprises a container for a supply of comminuted material having an outlet opening in a wall thereof, fiow'governing means associated with said outlet opening to govern flow of said comminuted material from said supply, aplurality of hoppers each providing an accumulating space for accumulation therein 0f comminuted material flowing from said supply, conduit means for conducting said flowin rial.

4. Apparatus for control of flowable comminuted material which comprises a plurality of containers for separate supplies of comminuted materials, each of said containers being provided with an outlet ,opening in a wall thereof, flow governing means associated with each of said outlet openings respectively to govern flow of said comminuted material from said supplies, a plurality of hoppers each providing an accumulating space .for accumulation therein of comminuted material flowing from said supplies, conduit means for conducting said flowing comminuted material from said containers and constructed and arranged selectively to be positioned to deliver said flowing comminuted material to a selected hopper, and control means actuated by the accumulated material in said selected hopper and acting on said flow governing means concomitantly to open said openings of at least two selected containers when said selected hopper contains less than a predetermined amount of the comminuted-material and concomitantly to close said openings of said selected containers when said selected hopper contains said predetermined amount of comminuted material, said control means being connected to said conduit means to effect actuation of said control means when said conduit means is inposition with the selected hopper.

5. Apparatus for control of flowable comminuted material which comprises a plurality of containers for separate supplies of comminuted materials, each of said containers being provided with an outlet opening in a wall thereof, valves associated with each said outlet-opening respectively to efiect opening and closing thereof. means for operating each valve to effect such opening and closing thereof, a plurality of hoppers each providing an accumulating space for accumulation therein of comminuted material flowing from said supplies, conduit means arranged to conduct said flowing comminuted material from said containers and constructed andnuted material which comprises a plurality of containers for containing separate supplies of comminuted materials, each of said containers being provided" with an outlet opening in a wall 6: Apparatus for control of flowable commiaca eoo thereof, valves respectively associated with said outlet openings to govern discharge of comminuted material from said supplies, a plurality of hoppers each providing an accumulating space for accumulation therein of comminuted material flowing from said supplies, conduit means for conducting said flowing comminuted material i'rom said containers and constructed and arranged selectively to be positioned to deliver said flowing comminuted material to selected hoppers, means for positioning said conduit means to deliver said flowing comminuted material to the selected spaces in predetermined order, and control means associated with said positioning means and constructed and arranged to operate predetermined valves for the different positions of said conduit means.

7.: Apparatus forcontrol of flowable comminuted material which comprises a container for a supply of comminuted material having an outlet opening in a wall thereof, electrically actuated flow governing means associated with said outlet opening to govern flow of said comminuted material from said supply, a plurality of hoppers each providing an accumulating space for accumulation therein of comminuted material flowing from said supply, conduit means for.conducting said flowing comminuted material from said supply and constructed and arranged se-- lectively to be positioned to deliver said flowing comminuted material to a selected hopper, means associated with each hopper and responsive to variations in the amount of the accumulated material therein, and means connected to said conduit means for selectively electrically connecting said responsive means of said hoppers tosaid flow governing means to effect actuation thereof when tion therein of comminuted material flowing from said supply, conduit means for conducting said flowing comminuted material from said supply and constructed and arranged selectively to be positioned to deliver said flowing comminuted material to a selected hopper, switches respectively associated with said hoppers and actuated by the accumulated material therein, a selector switch having at least two points for selective contact and a common contact point, each of said hopper switches and a selected contact point of said selector switch being connected across a source of electrical supply in series with each other and with said electrically actuated means for operating said valve, whereby said valve is operated in connection with a selected accumulating space, and means constructed and arranged in connection with said conduit means and said selector switch to move said selector switch into position with its common contact point in contact with the contact point thereof which is connected in series with the hopper switch of that hopper to which the flowable material is conducted by said conduit means.

9. Apparatus for control of flowable comminuted material comprising a plurality of containers for separate supplies of comminuted ma- 18 terials, each of said containers being provided with an outlet opening in a wall thereof, a valve associated witheach outlet to effect opening and closing thereof, a plurality of hoppers each providing an accumulating space for accumulation therein of comminuted material flowing from said supplies, a plurality of electrically actuated means respectively associated with said valves for effecting such opening and closing thereof, switches respectively associated with said hoppers and actuated upon variation of the amounts of the comminuted material within the respective hoppers, a selector switch having at least'two points for selective contact respectively connected to said hopper switches, a controller having contact points connected in circuit with the respective electrically actuated means for operating said valves to determine the number of and the order of opening and closing of said valves, said controller being electrically connected with said hopper switches, connections completing the circuit across a source of electrical supply and so arranged that upon operation of a hopper switch selected ones of said valves will be opened or closed to effect or to cut-oil discharge of comminuted material therethrough, and conduit means connected to said selector switch to move therewith and arranged to be selectively positioned for delivering to selected hoppers said comminuted material discharged through said selected valves.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9 which comprises means operable upon completion of accumulation of comminuted material in the elected hopper upon concomitant operation of its hopper switch for moving said conduit means to a position to deliver comminuted material to a second selected hopper.

11. Apparatus for controlling flow of comminuted material which comprises a plurality of separate containers for separate supplies of comminuted materials, each supply container being provided with a plurality of discharge openings, the number of openings of each container being the same as that 'of the other containers, at least two openings of each container being of different area from each other, each container having its openings respectively substantially of the same area as the openings of the other containers, each of said openings being provided with a valve, means common to all of said containers for receiving the comminuted material discharged therefrom upon the opening of any of said valves, and means for concomitantly operating a selected plurality of said valves to discharge predetermined quantities of comminuted material respectively from selected containers.

12. Apparatus for controlling flow of comminuted material which comprises a plurality of separate containers for separate supplies of comminuted materials, each supply container being provided with a plurality of discharge openings, the number of openings of each container being the same as that of the other containers, at least two openings of each container being of different rial to any one of at least two different discharge points, and means connected to said conduit means adapted when said conduit means is positioned in a selected position to effect operation of a predetermined selected plurality of said valves.

13. Apparatus according to claim 3 which includes means for moving said conduit means from the position to deliver the comminuted material to the selected hopper to a position to deliver the comminuted material to a second selected hopper, said means being constructed and arranged to be operable upon completion of flow of said predetermined amount of the comminuted material to said first selected hopper.

JOHN A. SOISSA.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 802,996 Krottnaurer Oct. 31, 1905 1,160,448 Ross -1--- Nov. 16., 1915 1,791,560 Heppes Feb. 10, 1.931 1,998,079 Freegard 'Apr. 16, 1935 2,074,130 Fenley et al Mar. 16,1937 2,074,131 Fenley et a1. Mar. 16, 1937 2,157,944 Walton May 9, 1939 2,183,026 Mason Dec. 12, 1939 2,348,419 Reinhardt et a1 May 2, 1944 2,368,672 McNamara Feb. 6, 1945 

